Physiological Divisions

Physiologically too, our state can be divided into three zones. They are 1) Coastal plains 2) Eastern Ghats and 3) Pene plains.

Coastal Plains: On the east of our state the sea coast extends from Srikakulam in the North to Nellore in the South. About 980 kms. of coastline runs along the Bay of Bengal. From north to south the width of the plains varies. In the centre the width is great and it decreases towards north and south. The Coastal plains are bordered by the Eastern Ghats.

The Eastern Ghats: The ghats are not continuous and high like the Western Ghats. The Papikonda range in the north of our state joins the Simhachala hill range. Mahendragiri, which is also the highest peak in our state rising to a height of 1500 metres above sea level, and Yarada hills extend towards the coast along Visakhapatnam. "Dolphin's Nose" at Visakhapatnam sea coast is part of the Yarada hills and forms the land-locked natural harbour.

At about 160 km. to the south of the Krishna river, is the Cuddapah hill range. These hills are called the Nallamalai Hills. The Papi hills and Shesha Chala hills in Chittoor district and the Yerramala hills in Anantapur district are the branches of the Eastern Ghats. Horseley hills in Chittoor district is the summer resort of our State. In the North-eastern part of Telangana, these hills are known as the Sahyadri and Balagat hills. The Nirmal hills, the Rocky hills, Kandikal hills and the Anantagiri hills are the branches of the Sahyadri and Balaghat ranges.

Pene Plains: The topography of the peneplains region consists of rounded low hills and the Deccan plateau. This area is bordered by the Eastern Ghats and slopes towards the east. Due to intense weather and denudation over a long period these peneplains are formed. Soils in this area are generally red and loamy. Black soil exists in the central and north eastern regions.

These peneplains exist in Anantapur, Kurnool and in all the districts of Telangana.